Tecumseh Beauty Salons Team Up with SHU’s Food Drive
Tecumseh, Mich. beauty salons have teamed up with Siena Heights University (SHU) for their 11th annual food drive, in an effort to combat hunger in our local area. This year the food drive will be next week, November 17 – 21. Golden Image, Seasons, Bad Hair Days, Motish, Ground Zero, Galaxi, and Cutting Corner, are all participating by collecting food items and toiletries. These items will be donated to The Daily Bread (TDB), a soup kitchen and pantry, on the corner of Frank and Tecumseh streets in Adrian, Michigan.
The SHU food drive is sponsored by Dr. Jeff Lindstom’s social psychology class as part of a service learning project. Lindstom said that he loves working with the people at The Daily Bread because, “This is real hunger, and real people, with real lives.” The students are also required to volunteer serving lunch at TDB to get a taste of what it’s like to be in need of food. Some of the students enjoy the experience so much, they come back on their own to volunteer their services. The whole SHU community is encouraged to participate in the food drive. Drop off boxes are placed in most of the buildings on campus during the week.
For the last three years Golden Image beauty salon has been a part of SHU’s food drive by offering a discount to clients for giving a donation. “Our participation in the Siena Heights food drive has been so successful, thanks to our generous guests, that we wanted to extend a challenge this year to other local beauty salons. We are so happy to see so many people in our community reaching out to help stop hunger,” noted beautician Suzy Garno.
TDB has been serving the local community for nearly fifteen years. Rhonda Clark, Executive Director at TDB stated, “Many people have the impression that we only serve the homeless. We serve anyone that is in need of food; the unemployed, the underemployed, the elderly, single moms and those with disabilities. The food drive is coming at a perfect time. Right now our shelves are almost bare, so we are really looking forward to Siena’s food drive; they are our largest contributor every year and each year they collect more than the years before. We cannot thank them enough.”
Hunger is a big concern right here in Lenawee County and in Adrian, Mich. In 2011 TDB served hot meals and pantry meals totaling 43,972. In 2012 the number increased to 45,427. Last year the number increase yet more to 45, 857. At the end of October of already served 40,019 meals and is expected to top the last three years.
Clark is asking for items that will stretch a families’ food budget, such as: hamburger helper, boxed mashed potatoes, rice, peanut butter and jelly. All other food and personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo, deodorant, shaving cream, toilet paper, etc.), and disposable diapers (all except newborn) are welcome.
Lindstom is very passionate about the Siena Heights food drive. “I think that one day the Lord will look right into our eyes and simply ask us how we helped those in need, how we made the world a better place. Jesus already told us that when we have done it unto one of the least of these my breather, you have done it to me” (Matt. 25:40). The food drive is a way to transfer the Dominican values from the classroom into daily life by respecting the dignity of all.”
